Hasil untuk "Social sciences and state - Asia (Asian studies only)"

H. Çeli̇k, İbrahim Şahin, A. Öztürk et al.

This study examines the evolving dynamics of social and political relations in Turkey amid its ongoing democratic transformation, focusing on how diverse social forces interact with the state and shape the trajectory of democratization. Positioned between Europe and Asia, Turkey provides a complex setting where formal democratic institutions coexist with increasing authoritarian tendencies.  Employing a qualitative, descriptive-analytical approach, the research analyzes developments from the early 2000s to the post-2016 period, drawing on policy documents, political speeches, academic literature, and civil society reports. It explores how state authority engages not only with organized civil society but also with broader social actors—such as media networks, religious communities, gender-based movements, and digital activism—that influence political participation and public discourse. The findings indicate that while constitutional and institutional reforms have expanded the procedural framework of democracy, substantive aspects—particularly freedom of expression, media independence, and pluralism—remain constrained by centralizing state power. Nevertheless, new forms of civic engagement, including online mobilization and gender equality campaigns, demonstrate society’s adaptive strategies and resilience. Democratization in Turkey thus emerges as a non-linear and contested process, shaped by the tension between state control and the plural aspirations of its citizens. By integrating social dimensions and empirical illustrations, this study offers a nuanced contribution to understanding how hybrid regimes negotiate power, participation, and identity in transitional democratic contexts,

Mario Wenning

Michael Ende’s phantastic novels are rich in transcultural references to Asian mythologies. This paper begins by reconstructing these traces in his early children’s novels, Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver and Momo, before focusing on The Neverending Story. In The Neverending Story, his opus magnum, Ende draws on Buddhist and Daoist themes to conceive of nothingness in a twofold sense: when written in capital letters, “The Nothing” (Das Nichts) is a threatening force that engulfs the fictive world of Phantasia (Fantásien). Conversely, when written in lowercase letters, “nothing” (nichts) represents the root of human consciousness and imagination, which holds the potential to resist the spread of The Nothing. Ende’s transcultural approach unleashes a critical force by exposing deep-seated pathologies linked to the encroachment of Nothingness, as manifested in the destructive impact of the modern rush toward acceleration, consumerism, and loss of meaning. Ende’s protagonists resist The Nothing with nothing, which is connected to the rediscovery of the human capacities to wish, to name, and to remember.

Xueshi Li, Qianqian Chen, Yan Zhu et al.

Abstract Food saving is a pressing global challenge, and understanding its divergent framings is vital for designing effective strategies. This study examines the alignment and divergence between media discourse and individual attitudes toward food saving in China using a mixed-methods approach that combines content analysis of 123 news articles with Q-methodology involving 60 participants. Drawing on Boltanski and Thévenot’s framework of seven value orders, the research identifies “domesticity” as a core value emphasized by both media and individuals, while media narratives underrepresent values such as “the environment” and “inspiration,” which are central to individual perspectives. This misalignment highlights why awareness campaigns often fail to effect substantial behavioral change. By analyzing the interplay between media narratives and public attitudes, the study not only provides actionable insights for policymakers and educators in China, but also offers a transferable model for interpreting frame (mis)alignment in other rapidly modernizing, state-led contexts. The proposed multi-level explanatory model contributes to international food policy scholarship by advancing the theoretical understanding of how value orders shape, and sometimes constrain, effective interventions in food saving governance.

Tim Donkers, Jürgen Ziegler

The rise of social media has fundamentally transformed how people engage in public discourse and form opinions. While these platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for democratic engagement, they have been implicated in increasing social polarization and the formation of ideological echo chambers. Previous research has primarily relied on observational studies of social media data or theoretical modeling approaches, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of how individuals respond to and are influenced by polarized online environments. Here we present a novel experimental framework for investigating polarization dynamics that allows human users to interact with LLM-based artificial agents in a controlled social network simulation. Through a user study with 122 participants, we demonstrate that this approach can successfully reproduce key characteristics of polarized online discourse while enabling precise manipulation of environmental factors. Our results provide empirical validation of theoretical predictions about online polarization, showing that polarized environments significantly increase perceived emotionality and group identity salience while reducing expressed uncertainty. These findings extend previous observational and theoretical work by providing causal evidence for how specific features of online environments influence user perceptions and behaviors. More broadly, this research introduces a powerful new methodology for studying social media dynamics, offering researchers unprecedented control over experimental conditions while maintaining ecological validity.

Sai Raj Kishore Perla, Aditya Vora, Sauradip Nag et al.

We introduce ASIA (Adaptive 3D Segmentation using few Image Annotations), a novel framework that enables segmentation of possibly non-semantic and non-text-describable "parts" in 3D. Our segmentation is controllable through a few user-annotated in-the-wild images, which are easier to collect than multi-view images, less demanding to annotate than 3D models, and more precise than potentially ambiguous text descriptions. Our method leverages the rich priors of text-to-image diffusion models, such as Stable Diffusion (SD), to transfer segmentations from image space to 3D, even when the annotated and target objects differ significantly in geometry or structure. During training, we optimize a text token for each segment and fine-tune our model with a novel cross-view part correspondence loss. At inference, we segment multi-view renderings of the 3D mesh, fuse the labels in UV-space via voting, refine them with our novel Noise Optimization technique, and finally map the UV-labels back onto the mesh. ASIA provides a practical and generalizable solution for both semantic and non-semantic 3D segmentation tasks, outperforming existing methods by a noticeable margin in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations.

Kui Zhao, Ziting Wang, Yu Liu et al.

Quantum simulation has emerged as a powerful framework for investigating complex many - body phenomena. A key requirement for emulating these dynamics is the realization of fully controllable quantum systems enabling various spin interactions. Yet, quantum simulators remain constrained in the types of attainable interactions. Here we demonstrate experimental realization of multiple microwave - engineered spin interactions in superconducting quantum circuits. By precisely controlling the native XY interaction and microwave drives, we achieve tunable spin Hamiltonians including: (i) XYZ spin models with continuously adjustable parameters, (ii) transverse - field Ising systems, and (iii) Dzyaloshinskii - Moriya interacting systems. Our work expands the toolbox for analogue - digital quantum simulation, enabling exploration of a wide range of exotic quantum spin models.

Miyahara Gyo

This paper examines how the Han script, as a non-phonographic and ideographic writing system, has historically mediated linguistic diversity in East Asia and how it continues to function as a site of negotiation between standardized national languages and vernacular or subaltern voices. Drawing on Jacques Derrida’s critique of phonocentrism and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s theory of minor literature, the study argues that the Han script resists the phonographic imperatives of modern nation-states by retaining semiotic elasticity. Through this capacity, it enables the co-articulation of dominant and minor languages, allowing alternative modes of voice and subjectivity to emerge within its scriptural space. Case studies from Taiwan, particularly the diasporic Chinese communities in Taiwan and China illustrate how Han écriture enables both subversion and accommodation of linguistic norms, as seen in Liām-kua, Mahua literature, and scriptal visuality. These examples show that Sinophone expression is not merely a reaction to central authority but often operates within a hybridized field of cultural production that exceeds binary oppositions. Rather than conceptualizing Sinophone texts solely as resistance, the article proposes a reframing of scriptal mediation as an arena of affective, performative, and visual negotiation. It offers a new account of East Asian modernity as shaped not only by state-led language reform or colonial influence but also by the persistent pluralism encoded in the materiality of script. The Han script thus emerges not as a static emblem of tradition but as a dynamic infrastructure through which linguistic diversity is continuously voiced, managed, and reimagined.

Al Mudzill, A. Munandar, Nuratika

This study examines and compares the practice of multiculturalism in Indonesia and Malaysia by situating it within their respective historical trajectories, policy frameworks, and implementation patterns in social and educational contexts. The research employs a qualitative library research design, drawing on relevant scholarly literature in the social sciences, religious studies, and the humanities. Data were analyzed using content analysis and a comparative approach, involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The findings indicate that multicultural practices in Indonesia and Malaysia exhibit both similarities and differences shaped by each country's historical, cultural, and political contexts. In Indonesia, multiculturalism is grounded in the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, whereas in Malaysia it is articulated through the principle of unity embodied in the Rukun Negara. At the policy level, Indonesia constitutionally recognizes diversity through inclusive measures, such as the public recognition of religious holidays and support for the preservation of local cultures. In contrast, Malaysia adopts a National Cultural Policy, which some groups have criticized for its limited sensitivity to cultural diversity. Linguistically, Indonesian functions as a unifying national language across diverse ethnic groups, while Malaysia recognizes Malay, English, and Chinese as official languages, reflecting its multicultural composition and educational arrangements. In terms of religion, Indonesia formally acknowledges and protects multiple religions and the rights of religious minorities. In contrast, Malaysia grants Islam a privileged position as the state's official religion.

Henry Kim

Abstract:This exploratory paper addresses the question, “How can Asian American studies benefit from computational sociology?” I answer this question with the following four points.1) Educators who understand and/or utilize computational sociology will be current with social science methodology, and thus well-positioned to research and teach both innovatively and preemptively. 2) Creating and using large data sets will allow AAS to scale systematically, particularly in the efforts to discover and recover. 3) Students who can conceptualize or use computational sociology will gain more portable human capital. 4) Increasing computational power and more sophisticated software will bridge AAS not only with computational sociology, but also with complexity science and artificial intelligence/generative artificial intelligence, and thus advance AAS to unprecedented horizons. The article concludes with limitations, caveats, and areas of future research, particularly via complexity science, to keep Asian American studies both relevant and innovative.

Dr.Naveed Shuja

The Genomic Promise and the Asian Dilemma: Pharmacogenomics, a cornerstone of precision medicine, is envisioned to usher in a future where drug therapy is not based on general responses but on a patient’s genetic makeup. This science allows us to identify genetic variants that affect how drugs are metabolized, how efficacious a drug is, and how safe it is to take, to provide more personalized treatments of more efficacious and less adverse drugs. This innovation has been embraced in countries like Pakistan, with developing economies and high-income countries in the Global North, but with large-scale genome projects and clinical integration, while still being on the periphery. Contained within vast genetic diversity and a large disease burden, the region’s populations are poorly represented in global pharmacogenomic databases and derive minimal benefit from their clinical applications [1]. Asia’s Genetic Wealth: A Missed Opportunity for Global Science: One of the most genetically diverse populations in the world is Asia, in particular South Asia. However, Pakistan alone has more than 70 different ethnic groups with different genetic backgrounds that have not been well explored and utilized to date in pharmacogenomic research. Genome-wide association studies and drug response trials are focused on European ancestry populations, with the result that this understanding is skewed for pharmacologic action across a range of genetic contexts. This has led to many drugs currently on the market performing sub-optimally or having unknown side effects in South Asian populations as a result of unaccounted pharmacogenetic variability. In addition to limiting therapeutic efficacy, this poses a risk to patient safety in those populations that are already at risk and underserved [2]. Challenges Hindering Implementation in Pakistan and Neighboring Nations: Several barriers prevent the widespread application of pharmacogenomics in Pakistan and other Asian countries. The main limitation is the lack of infrastructure. Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics on molecular diagnostic laboratories are scarce, with most located at elite research centers or private institutions that are not generally available to the general population. The public healthcare system is overwhelmed by infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health crises, and rising non communicable diseases, which does not prioritize genomics based interventions. There are also large policy gaps. Currently, there are no nationally endorsed clinical guidelines on how to integrate pharmacogenomic data into prescribing practices in Pakistan. Clinical adoption is further complicated by the absence of regulatory policies regarding genomic data usage, privacy and storage [3]. A lack of trained human resources is also another serious challenge. Clinical pharmacologists, genetic counselors and molecular biologists are scarce who can interpret and apply pharmacogenomic data in patient care. However, pharmacogenomics is rarely discussed by medical professionals due to the absence of formal education on the subject in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. Affordability poses yet another hurdle. Pharmacogenomic tests are too expensive for most patients (even when there is no cost or national insurance program reimbursement). In addition, pharmaceutical companies do not have sufficient incentives to develop or market genomic diagnostics which are tailored towards the South Asian region, as there is perceived low commercial returns leading to further delay in developing region specific tools [4]. The Necessity of Regional Integration into Global Pharmacogenomic Research: It is essential that countries like Pakistan are actively engaged in this global pharmacogenomics movement so as to bridge this widening gap between innovation and access. Genomic infrastructure — regional and national governments need to invest in genomic infrastructure, which includes the establishment of biobanks that store diverse DNA samples and research labs that have sequencing technologies, and the promotion of public-private partnerships for innovation. Also, participation in international pharmacogenomic consortia would make sure that South Asian populations are included in drug discovery pipelines and clinical trials. Ideally, a South Asian coordinated effort for the creation of a shared genomic reference panel is possible, and several regional initiatives, such as genomic mapping projects in India and China provide valuable models on which Pakistan and neighboring countries could adapt [5]. In addition, this endeavor must be driven by academic institutions, which should encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between medical, pharmaceutical, and genomic sciences. Genomic epidemiology and pharmacogenomic research relevant to locally prevalent diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, tuberculosis and various cancers must receive high priority in the grants of research councils and funding agencies. By establishing regional centers of excellence in pharmacogenomics, training, research, and clinical translation can be catalyzed [6]. Toward Equitable Access and Policy Reform in Pakistan: Scientific participation is not enough for equity in pharmacogenomics, deliberate policy reform is also required. Pharmacogenomic testing should be incorporated into the clinical management of high-burden diseases in national healthcare policies. Therefore, the essential medicines list in Pakistan should evolve to include genomic indicators for such drugs as those with narrow therapeutic indices and known adverse drug reaction profiles. At the same time, there is an urgent need for ethical governance structures to manage the flow of genomic data collection, sharing, and utilization. It is critical that we build transparent frameworks that respect data sovereignty, protect patient privacy, and provide for the benefit of the communities in which the research occurs to create public trust and long-term sustainability [7]. In overseeing genomic research as well as cross–border data sharing, national bioethics committees take on a pivotal role. The lack of such safeguards puts pharmacogenomic programs at risk of exploitation and loss of national control over valuable genetic information. Therefore, all policies and clinical guidelines must rest on the dual principles of scientific rigor and social justice [8]. Community Engagement and Genomic Literacy as Foundations of Progress: A completely new cultural and educational shift is also needed to make it palatable and useful to the broader population than infrastructure and policy alone. A successful implementation of any personalized medicine initiative depends upon community engagement. To explain the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, public awareness campaigns, community consultations and educational materials have to be developed in local languages. Pharmacogenomics should be incorporated as a core competency in medical and allied health curricula. Additionally, international fellowships, workshops, and an online platform dedicated to capacity building in bioinformatics, genetic counseling, and clinical genomics should be emphasized [9]. There must be hubs of training and research in local universities with the support of international donors and organizations, such as WHO and UNESCO. Pharmacogenomics will only reach a clinical tool accessible to everyone through such grassroots engagement [10]. Conclusion: The promise of pharmacogenomics is to provide individualized therapeutics, but while these policies remain outside the bounds of inclusive accountability, regional collaboration, and equitable implementation, pharmacogenomics could become a luxury reserved for countries in the developed world. Pharmacogenomics can revolutionize treatment only in Pakistan and across Asia, where populations are genetically diverse yet underserved, if scientific inclusion is translated to structural reform and ethical commitment. Precision medicine cannot be a luxury. It should be the universal right. Diversity, representation, and access must be the global pharmacogenomic agenda of the day, and genomic medicine must benefit every community, whether it is a question of geography or income. Only with such an inclusive and justice-oriented approach can we transform the pharmacogenomics into a truly global health solution.

Munkhbaatar Sengedorj

This article examines the level of trust that citizens place in state and political institutions established under a democratic constitution. Trust is a fundamental condition not only for the consolidation of democracy but also for the effective and stable functioning of public institutions. In contemporary societies, declining interpersonal and institutional trust has become a critical concern in social and political science, as trust constitutes one of the most important foundations of cooperation. Since cooperation is essential at all levels of social and political relations, it is necessary to closely examine both the degree of mutual trust and the factors that shape it. The study analyzes citizens’ trust in key state institutions and explores the social, political, and institutional determinants influencing this trust. Mutual respect, openness, and reciprocity are identified as core elements of trust relations: individuals who extend trust to institutions expect transparency, accountability, and fairness in return. Mutual understanding and responsiveness strengthen citizens’ willingness to rely on public authority and comply with its decisions. Based on comparative data from the Asia Barometer “Democracy, Governance, and Development” baseline survey, the article demonstrates that Mongolians’ trust in state and political institutions is relatively low compared to selected Asian democracies, including the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Levels of trust in the president, parliament, judiciary, and government at various levels are consistently lower, while trust in political parties is the weakest of all. Such low institutional trust signals problems of political legitimacy and indicates a potential risk of persistent political instability. Methodologically, the study draws on descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of raw survey data and situates the findings within the broader academic literature on political trust and institutional confidence. By identifying the structural and perceptual factors underlying the erosion of trust, the article contributes to understanding the challenges facing democratic governance and the constitutional state in transitional societies. Ардчилсан Үндсэн хуулийн төрийн институт дэх иргэдийн итгэл, түүний социаль нөлөөлөл Шинэ Үндсэн хуулийн дагуу бүрэлдсэн төрийн болон улс төрийн институцэд иргэд, олон нийтийн итгэж буй байдлын талаар энэхүү өгүүлэлд авч үзсэн болно. Итгэлцэл нь ардчилал төдийгүй төрийн байгууллагуудын саадгүй, үр дүнтэй ажиллах чухал элемент юм. Иргэдийн бие биедээ болон Засгийн газартаа итгэх итгэл өнөөдөр буурч байгаа нь итгэлцлийг нийгэм, улс төрийн шинжлэх ухааны хувьд урьд өмнөхөөсөө илүү чухал асуудал болгож байна. Итгэлцэл бол хамтын ажиллагааны хамгийн чухал эх сурвалжуудын нэг юм. Иргэний болон олон нийтийн харилцааны бүхий л түвшинд хамтын ажиллагаа шаардлагатай байдаг тул социаль харилцааны оролцогч талуудын харилцан итгэлцлийн түвшин, түүнд нөлөөлж буй элементүүдийг гүн гүнзгий ажиглах хэрэгтэй. Энэхүү судалгаанд төрийн байгууллагуудад иргэд хэр зэрэг итгэл үнэмшилтэй байгаа талаар авч үзсэн. Төрийн байгууллагуудад итгэх итгэлийн зэрэгцээ төрийн байгууллагуудад итгэх итгэлийн түвшинд нөлөөлөх хэд хэдэн хүчин зүйл нь судалгааны өөр нэг чиглэлийг бүрдүүлж байна. Итгэлцлийн харилцаанд харилцан хүндэтгэлтэй, нээлттэй байх нь итгэлцлийн орчинг бүрдүүлэх гол хүчин зүйлийн нэг юм. Өөр хувь хүн эсвэл байгууллагад итгэдэг хувь хүмүүс нөгөө талаасаа өөртөө итгэхийг хүсдэг. Харилцан ойлголцох нь тэднийг нөгөө талдаа найдахыг дэмждэг. Азийн орнуудтай /БНСУ, Тайван, Тайланд/ харьцуулахад монголчуудын төрийн байгууллагууд, улс төрийн институтэд итгэх илтгэл харьцангуй доогуур байлаа. Ерөнхийлөгч, парламент, шүүх институт, Засгийн газарт итгэх итгэл аль ч түвшинд эдгээр орнуудтай харьцуулахад бага байна. Улс төрийн намуудад итгэх итгэл хамгийн бага байна. Төрийн институтэд итгэх итгэл бага байгаа нь засаглалын легитим хангагдахгүй, улс төрийн тогтворгүй байдал цаашид үргэлжлэх хөрс болж болох эрсдэл байгааг илтгэнэ. Судалгаанд төрийн байгууллагуудад итгэх итгэл, итгэлцлийн талаарх эрдэм шинжилгээний ажлыг тусгайлан авч үзсэн болно. Өнөөгийн төр засаг, улс төрийн институцийн талаарх үнэлгээ, итгэл алдарч буй суурь нөхцөл шалтгааныг шүүн тунгаав. Тус өгүүлэлд Азийн Барометрийн харьцуулсан үр дүн болох “Ардчилал, Засаглал, Хөгжил” суурь судалгааны мэдээлэлд тулгуурласан ба анхдагч мэдээлэл/raw data/-д үндэслэн тоон/descriptive/ болон дүгнэлт хийх/ inferential/ статистикийн шинжилгээг ашигласан болно. Түлхүүр үг: Ардчилал, институцэд итгэх итгэл, төрийн институци, эв нэгдэл.

Tran Minh Duc

After 1975, modernization and state administrative policies significantly weakened the traditional authority of the Già làng (village elder) in ethnic minority communities in the Central Highlands. Previously, the Già làng not only served as a community leader but also as a guardian of indigenous cultural values. However, state intervention, combined with the influences of education, media, and urbanization, gradually shifted their role from a central governing figure to that of a cultural and spiritual advisor. This study not only analyzes the transformation of the Già làng's authority in Vietnam but also compares it with similar models in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. These countries have also experienced the decline of indigenous leadership due to administrative centralization and the integration of ethnic minority groups into national governance structures. Regional comparisons help identify similarities and differences in the transformation of indigenous power, providing key insights for cultural preservation efforts. Additionally, the study highlights the impact of the generational gap, as younger generations increasingly distance themselves from traditional power structures under the influence of modern education, the widespread use of social media, and urbanization. These factors have diminished the influence of the Già làng in community life while posing challenges for the preservation and transmission of indigenous cultural values. Based on the research findings, this paper proposes several key policy recommendations: (1) strengthening the role of the Già làng in local governance through consultation mechanisms and advisory councils; (2) reforming education to integrate indigenous cultural elements into curricula; (3) protecting land use rights of ethnic minority communities to maintain traditional living spaces; (4) encouraging the participation of the Già làng in community activities to enhance social cohesion; and (5) promoting cooperation between local governments and international organizations to support cultural preservation efforts. These recommendations not only aim to sustain the role of the Già làng but also contribute to the sustainable development of ethnic minority communities in the Central Highlands in the context of modernization and globalization.   Received: 5 January 2025 / Accepted: 22 February 2025 / Published: 02 March 2025

Balkis Kasmon, Siti Sara Ibrahim, Dalila Daud et al.

Purpose This study aims to analyse the existing literature on the utilisation of financial technology (FinTech) in the Islamic social finance (ISF) sector, focusing on tools, applications and benefits. From this study, it is to provide insights for literature or for practitioners on how FinTech can be used in ISF, such as using blockchain (tools) in waqf (application) that can help to enhance transparency and trust (benefits) with donors. It is important to explore new available tools or applications in ISF markets so that such effort can benefit the industry in promoting its growth. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out using Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) which has been based on quality evaluation criteria, beginning with 41,945 entries in Scopus, 25,386 entries in the Web of Science and 1,590 entries in the Google Scholar databases and ending with 35 articles from data abstraction and analysis, all of which focus on tools, applications and benefits of FinTech in ISF sector. Findings This review yielded three primary themes and eleven sub-themes addressing FinTech, namely applications (four sub-themes: crowdfunding, blockchain, banking service and peer-to-peer (P2P), tools (three sub-themes: waqf, zakat and sadaqah), as well as benefits (four sub-themes: transparency, innovation, inclusiveness and efficiency). Research limitations/implications This study emphasises on innovative application of FinTech used in ISF industry which focuses on applications, tools and benefits of FinTech to the industry. However, the findings indicate that there is plenty of room for future investigation. The current work outlines several methodological issues and concerns as well as provides recommendations for future research. Various challenges associated with FinTech applications include inadequate regulations, complex permit application procedures, misuse of FinTech for terrorist financing, the existence of fraudulent FinTech companies and consumer disputes in the FinTech sector concerning ISF. There are few in-depth studies on the possible use of FinTech models in ISF, compared to studies focusing on upcoming challenges. This study also highlights the methodological limitations in previous research efforts, which can be used to improve future studies in this area. To offer a more comprehensive analysis, additional search keywords and engines that have not been included in this study could be used in future investigations with different methodologies. Practical implications For practitioners, the paper has significant managerial consequences. The analysis provides insights into real-life opportunities, limits and solutions for improving performance management by looking at FinTech applications from a larger and more diverse perspective. The practitioners, especially the State Islamic Religious Council, can recognise the benefits of using FinTech technology in ISF (waqf, zakat and sadaqah), namely under their jurisdiction. Originality/value This systematic literature assessment identifies critical knowledge gaps that must be addressed such as the applications of FinTech that are still ambiguous, with certain applications not completely embraced in the ISF industry. This study uses SLR technique to categorise literature, identify gaps in current studies and provide recommendations for the research issue (Paul and Criado, 2020), instead of using the other previous methodology such as content analysis or qualitative review. Hence, FinTech is considered an innovative or new approach in ISF industry.

Trinh Le Thi Tuyet, Kieu Nguyen Thi, Hung Tran Duc et al.

STEM education, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is an important educational model in primary and secondary schools, including elementary schools. STEM education is being emphasized in many countries around the world. In Southeast Asia, the current state of STEM education is quite diverse and there is a discrepancy between countries. This study focuses on analyzing quantitative scientific indicators based on 490 publications on STEM education in elementary schools from 2000 to December 2022 in the Scopus database. The data is analyzed by bibliometrics software Biblioshiny and VOSviewer on the collaboration network between scientists in the field of STEM education in elementary schools, countries with the most publications, emerging keywords and related keywords, as well as research trends on STEM education in elementary schools for Southeast Asian countries. The results of the study show that publications on STEM education in elementary schools in Southeast Asian countries started to be studied from 2008 and have been increasing rapidly; scientific papers published in some high-impact factor journals; the countries with the most publications are not necessarily Southeast Asian countries, mainly in the Americas, Europe, Asia, with Indonesia being the only Southeast Asian country in the top-5 countries with the most publications on this research trend. Based on the analysis, the article proposes some directions for STEM education research in elementary schools in Southeast Asian countries to achieve high effectiveness in training at elementary schools.

Ahasan Habib, Elaine Borazon, Ivy M. Nallos et al.

This review aimed to discuss the vulnerability and climate change impacts on tropical fisheries in Asia using a systematic literature review. The study applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to evaluate literature from 1990-2020. The results showed clustering of texts, keywords, and titles based on search terms like climate change, fisheries, and adaptation. High-scoring links revealed clusters: 1) climate change and food security, 2) biodiversity and environment protection, 3) conservation of resource, 4) climate change impacts in Asia, 5) fisheries. Abstracts and titles produced clusters on: 1) livelihood and food security, 2) fisheries catch, 3) stakeholder approaches, 4) Ecosystem services. While climate change dominated vulnerability and adaptation studies, it is only one of many stressors affecting fisheries and aquaculture. Adaptation is suggested as a solution for reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience in fishing communities. However, our findings indicate that the social and economic factors contributing to climate-induced vulnerability are still relatively neglected. Enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection can lead to a more productive and food-secure environment for farmers and fishers. It is crucial that interventions focus on adaptation and establishing science-based ‘adaptive fisheries co-management’ to engage fishing communities and address their broader vulnerabilities and aspirations.

Subhan Afifi, Aris Yaman, I. Bakti et al.

Purpose This study aims to conduct a bibliometric assessment of existing literature in the fields of health communication and social media in the Asian context. Design/methodology/approach Using 265 Scopus-indexed papers, a comprehensive bibliometric study was performed, incorporating both performance and science mapping analyses. Findings The results reveal an increasing trend in the publication of this topic. This study also identified the top author, country, articles and author collaboration clusters. Four primary themes emerged from the publications: “Papillomavirus” and “the COVID-19 pandemic” were categorized as niche themes; “gender and cohort” was identified as a basic theme; and “behavioral intention” was classified as an emerging or declining theme. These can serve as the foundations for future research directions. Research limitations/implications This research used only the Scopus database as its data source. However, future bibliometric research could investigate other databases. Practical implications This paper has practical implications for researchers, health communication managers, government and policymakers. It provides valuable information that can guide researchers in conducting new studies, fostering collaborations and conducting further bibliometric analyses. Health communication managers can use this paper to design and manage social media-based health communication programs. The government could leverage these findings to support evidence-based policy implementation in the field of health communication. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, marks the first bibliometric analysis focused on the literature in the field of health communication and social media in the Asian context.

Lu Bai

Current instability in the world emphasizes the importance of using soft power tools to promote state interests in other regions of the world. A key example in this regard is China's soft power strategy, supported by the appropriate communication strategy tools. The aim of this paper is to identify China's strategy in using various communication tools, including cultural exchanges, media projects, and educational programs to strengthen its soft power and influence in the East Asian region. Paper provides an analysis of China's strategic use of the concept of soft power to expand its influence on the international arena, with an emphasis on the East Asian region. The paper analyzez how China abandoning traditional methods of direct coercion (military force, economic sanctions), focuses on engagement and cooperation through cultural appeal, economic initiatives, and diffusion of values. It is determined that for the region of East Asia, the central element of this strategy is the Belt and Road Initiative, which is aimed at deepening economic integration and cultural exchange, which is supported by measures in the fields of education, science, technology, as well as active participation in international organizations. The importance of information policy and media space in shaping global opinion and a positive image of China is emphasized, including the expansion of media space abroad through platforms such as CGTN and Xinhua. In addition, the use of social media and digital platforms to promote Chinese views and values plays a key role in the soft power strategy. The effectiveness of China's soft power in building sustainable international partnerships and strengthening its position in the region is highlighted, paying attention to the challenges and prospects of such an approach. China's efforts to develop infrastructure, promote cultural exchange and economic interaction with countries in the region are analyzed, emphasizing the strategic importance of soft power to ensure China's long-term global influence. The proposed paper may be useful for researchers, analysts in the field of diplomacy in East Asia, state and local authorities. Future research is planned to focus on the study of China's communication strategy in the context of the use of soft power, analyzing the possible bans of Chinese social networks in the leading countries of the world considering the situation with the potential ban of TikTok in the US. Keywords: Soft Power; Communication Strategy; China; East Asia; Economic Diplomacy

Piers Andreas Noak, I. Ardhana, Nita Ariyanti et al.

The centers of trade and economic activities in the region of Southeast Asia rank from a huge and modern to a small and traditional pattern. Malacca and Singapore have been cases in point for huge and modern patterns, while the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines are the cases for small and traditional centers. This paper will argue that with global connectivity and regional dynamics, the small and traditional trade and economic centers could shift to modern ones. History records that the introduction of the Southeast Asian region by the outside world, especially in relation to trade and economic activities, was largely derived from the significant role played by the people in the mainland of Southeast Asia regarding the silk roads route and the role of the people in the insular or islands of Southeast Asia regarding the spice trade route in the premodern time. Later in the modern time in Southeast Asia, the role of Islam, the Europeans and the center trade of Malacca around the 17th and 18th centuries played a significant role. Indeed, huge trade centers like Malacca in the 17th C and 18th C and later by Singapore in the 9th C have been very important throughout the history of trade in the Southeast Asian region. However, we must not ignore the roles of the border areas in the Southeast Asian archipelago, especially in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the border region of the Philippines which have played a dominant role in trade and economic activities. These activities have been smaller and more traditional than the Malacca and Singapore cases, but economic activities could develop rapidly with the global connection and its interconnectivity. Besides, those border areas have also become an important key for security issues not only in the Southeast Asia region in particular but also in the Asia Pacific or Indo Pacific region as well. The security of the region of Southeast Asia and even Indo Pacific could be affected by the situation in those border areas. Interconnectivity is a challenge as well as an opportunity for these border areas to become the future of trade and economic activities within the region of Southeast Asia that also connects with the region of Indo Pacific, especially China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The planning of Indonesian capital movement to East Kalimantan will add opportunities for those border areas located near the proposed new capital. About the above issues, this paper will address several issues: firstly, the history of trade and economic activities in Malacca, Singapore, and the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines; secondly, the different patterns of trade and economic developments of the Malacca, Singapore, and the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and Philippines; thirdly, the challenges and opportunities of the border areas in eastern Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines to develop bigger trade centers in the future; fourth, the interconnectivity of those border areas to Asia Pacific region. This paper uses an interdisciplinary approach in the fields of social sciences and humanities. With this study, it is hoped that a better understanding of regional dynamics will be obtained, especially in the border areas. The period that we use is from 1998 until present time regarding if there was changing policy due to the end of Old Order to the Reformation period of Indonesian government. As a result, the development of border areas had been in existence before the colonial time in which people moved freely and had trade contacts. Even though they used to have the same ethnic linkage, after the formation of a modern state where they have different citizenships, in reality they can relate to each other in harmony and peace because of the similarity of ethnic linkages they had in the past. Colonial powers intended to replace the powers of traditional kingdoms with the idea of civilizing the colonialized areas. Therefore, to overcome the gap between the Indonesian population who live in border areas bordering foreign countries, management is needed that is no longer informal (traditional ways), but formal and modern. For that reason, the existence of competition due to differences in the quality of human resources they have, often causes competition which also becomes a medium for illegal trade, illegal trafficking, illegal drugs that affect or disrupt good relations between the two countries that border each other. With the change in policy from the centralistic and authoritarian during the New Order which was in power for 32 years since 1966, when the New Order era ended, the reform era began which prioritized transparent accountability towards a more democratic society. The paradigm shift in the context of this policy is expected to contribute to the management of border areas from the traditional or informal to the modern and formal towards the development of peaceful and sustainable border areas.

Charles Taylor

Abstract In the first part of this paper, I want to look at the ethical implications of Hartmut Rosa’s Resonance theory for a critical theory of society. I know that this widening of the scope of critical theory is an important objective which Hartmut has pursued. Then I will look at some of the sources of resonance theory in the poetry of the Romantic period. These still provide the basis for important Resonanzachsen today. At the end of this essay, I deal with the issue of the epistemic status of the convictions this poetry inspires.

Guanie Lim, Chang-Yau Hoon, Kaili Zhao

Faced with dwindling oil and gas reserves, Brunei has been hard-pressed to diversify its reliance on hydrocarbon. China has emerged as an attractive prospect to the Brunei government, especially since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. This article analyses a few major Chinese projects in Brunei and postulates three interrelated arguments. Firstly, Chinese investors have targeted Brunei's natural resources and fiscal incentives. These firms have minimal interest in the Sultanate's small domestic market as they eye the export sector. Secondly, these projects have been orchestrated by China's provincially-owned state-owned enterprises (SOE) and private firms, instead of centrally- controlled SOEs. State support has generally been channelled to these projects in an at-arm's length manner. Thirdly, while Brunei is relatively skilled in attracting Chinese investors to further its own political economic goals, at least in the short-run, it is uncertain whether such capital exports have helped in ameliorating the structural limits of the country’s economy.